“There are three ways for wisdom or prudence to abound in you: if you confess your sins, if you give thanks and praise, and if your speech is edifying.”
— St. Bernard of Clairvoux
Today. Pope Benedict XVI elevates Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, along with 21 other prelates, to the ranks of cardinal. I just read a book about Archbishop Dolan entitled "A People of Hope" by John L. Allen, Jr. The one thing that intrigued me in reading this book is Archbishop Dolan’s genuineness and humanity beyond the office or the hat. Allen describes Dolan as a larger-than-life character with a booming voice, raucous laugh and a kilowatt-laced smile. His fearless passion for the faith is disarming. He’s the quick-witted and polished president of the United States Conference of Bishops elected on November 16, 2010. This articulate yet down-to earth Irishman is a unique cross between Fulton J. Sheen and the saintly Fr. O’Malley from “The Bells of St. Mary’s." A loveable soul, Archbishop Dolan makes everyone feel welcome. With over 5,000 bishops in the world and over 400 bishops in the United States of America, I was delighted that Archbishop Dolan was chosen to serve the People of God as a Prince of the Church. This lifelong hometown St. Louis Cardinals fan’s team won the World Series and he gets crowned a Cardinal of the Church!
Archbishop Dolan was born on February 6, 1950, the oldest of 5 children, of Robert and Shirley Dolan. His parents were Irish Catholic. He described his home life as a “happy house.” He says:
My Catholic upbringing, the Catholic ethos, the Catholic chemistry, whatever you want to call it, has given meaning, purpose and direction to my life. It’s the pearl of great price. It had given me a world view, a sense of joy and direction and an excitement about life. In my mind, it’s the healthiest, happiest way to live, so I don’t find anything constraining or oppressive or choking about it.
Reminding me of the touching humanity of today’s Gospel of the healing of the paralytic is the following account in “People of Hope.” Dolan writes:
Every other Saturday morning I walk down the street in plain clothes to a Franciscan Parish near Penn Station. There I stand in line, usually eight or so people in front of me, for confession. Nobody knows I’m a bishop. I watch the street people waiting for the soup kitchen to open; I see a mom and her little girl light a candle and say a prayer; I look into the church and see dozens of faithful there in silence before the exposed Eucharist; there’s a young couple leaving the parlor after their marriage prep; there’s an elderly lady crying in front of Our Lady’s Chapel; over in the corner is the drop-off table for baby clothes for the young moms with troubling pregnancies. And here I am, a sinner in line with other sinners, just wanting to take Jesus at His word, that he welcomes and forgives me. Bingo! This is the Church!
As Archbishop Dolan sees the landscapes of life pass before his eyes, he considers deeply his own afflictions, weaknesses and sins, and this heavy-weight is relieved through the mercy, love and forgiveness of Jesus’ healing touch.
St. Mark uses the story of the paralytic who is lowered through the roof by his companions to show us that the Christian life was never intended to be a solitary journey. We are stronger when we are surrounded and supported by brothers and sisters in the faith. Oftentimes we live in a world that accentuates independence and self-reliance, but this Gospel story reminds us to lean on each other and to let others lean on us. This paralyzed man is a picture of our sinful human condition. Like this crippled individual, we need to be restored and live fully the life God has for us; we need to accept our need for His forgiveness and walk again in His grace.
Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2012 Lenten Message, calls on the faithful to help one another and not remain isolated, indifferent, or disinterested to the plight of others. The Pope calls for “fraternal correction” in the Church’s prophetic mission to denounce injustices in the world: poverty, greed, violence, to name a few. The Pope warns us against what he calls, “spiritual anesthesia,” or being numb to the suffering and pain of others. Let us not be numb to those with physical illness, mental illness, chronic illness, terminal illness or moral illness. Today’s humanity is afflicted with many diseases and unless treated it will prove fatal. As Christians we are to help and encourage one another to strive to live for the truth and good and holy lives.
I recall when I was serving as hospital chaplain at Mercy, they had a newspaper called the “Gurney Gazette” and it always made me think of this incapacitated paralyzed man in today’s Gospel whom Jesus gave the greatest good — freedom from his sins. Last Sunday while visiting a parishioner at Mercy Hospital, I stopped in Holy Family Chapel to pray and thank God for all the wonderful graces I received there. (This year will be Mercy’s 165th anniversary.) As I stood there praying before the statues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I was reminded that we are to bear and bring one another to Christ. The spirit of God’s compassionate healing, mercy, and love in that special place lifts our brothers and sisters to new hope.
As we celebrated World Day of Prayer for the Sick that weekend, I looked at Mary, Health of the Sick, who mirrors her Son’s healing compassion for all those who bear illness. I find a great comfort that in the Kingdom of God there will be no more sickness, suffering, sin and death. As a people of faith, hope and love, let us allow the Lord to use the rope of our humanity to bring His saving presence to others. We never know how God will use us as an instrument of His grace and healing for another’s good.
As the paralytic was given a new lease on life and the boulder of his sins that kept him pinned under was lifted, so too, there is no greater feeling in the world than to be free and forgiven and to walk anew in Christ’s abundant life.
